Abeam a



(Model.)

A. A. RHEUTAN.

PRESSBR FOR BNVBLOPB MACHINES.

No. 335,244. Patented Fab. 2, 1886.

lUNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ABRAM A. RHEUTAN, OF VORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO IV. H. HILL, OF SAME PLACE.

PRESSER FOR ENVELOPE-NIACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,244, dated February 2, 1886.

(Model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRE-mr A. RHEUTAN, of Vorcester, in the county of \Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressers for EnvelopeMaehines, of which the following is a specificatio-n.

My invention relates to that portion of the mechanism in an envelope-machine whereby the iiaps of an envelope-blank after being gummed are pressed together to form the envelope or pocket; and it has for its object to provide improved mechanism whereby the operation of pressing together the gummed surfaces to complete the pocket is performed with certainty, irrespective of the closeness or tightness of the fold or of the thickness of the paper. It also relates to the combination of such a presser with an envelope-folder in a novel manner, whereby increase oi'efficiency in the machine is obtained.

In the drawings I have represented in the form now best known to me my improved presser arranged in connection with the folder employed to fold the back flap. Similar folders are used to fold the side flaps, and my improved presser might be similarly cornbined with one of the side folders, though not, as I believe, with advantage.

Figure l is a plan, and Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections upon the lines y g/ and .t x, respectively, of Fig. 1. Y

The folder A is rigidly attached to a shaft, c., by turning which the folder is brought over upon the envelope to form the fold. The presser B is mounted upon a rotating saddle or carrier, O, so that it also may be brought over onto the envelope at the proper time.

In order to make as small as possible the arcs of movement of the folder and presser, and thereby to save time in the operation of the machine, I arrange them in such a manner that the part by which each is carried rotates around the same axial line. I prefer to accomplish this by providing two supporting blocks or journals, D D, for the presser-carrier and by supporting and journaling the folder-shaft within the presser-carrier, as shown.

The operation of the device is as follows: The folder A, which is rigidly attached to its shaft a is first, by means of any suitable connection with the main shaft or other source of power in the machine, brought down upon the back flap of the envelope, thereby folding it and holding` it in place. rIhe other flaps having been similarly folded down and held, the next operation is to bring down the presser B to press upon and unite the overlying gummed edges of the flaps which form the pocket of the' envelope. This presser I3 is not rigidly secured to its carrier (l, but is so hung thereon (see Figs. l and 3) as to be free to vibrate or swing in and out with respect to the carrier. For this purpose I prefer to attach it to lugs c c on the carrier C by means of a pintle, b. It thus adapts itself to any variation in the thickness, either of the paper or of the fold, and at the same time produces a tirm and positive pressure over the whole surface of the edges to be united.

It will be observed that with the presser and folder combined, as described, the range of radial motion of each is made as small as possible, thereby increasing the speed at which the operations of folding and pressing may be performed; also, that a considerable gain is made in the space which they jointly occupy.

'Ihe supports D D, which form thejournals ofthe presser-carrier, are made vertically adjustable by means of set-screws d d, as shown, to raise or lower the folder to produce the different thicknesses of fold that may be desired. Neither this variation, however, nor any variation in the thickness of the paper, affects the operation of the presser, which, by virtue of its loose or hinged connection with its carrier, will always nd its level upon the envelope, and so press it equally throughout.

I claiml. In an envelope-machine, a presser mounted upon a rocking carrier, and in hinged or swinging connection therewith, whereby the presser is adapted to swing toward or away from its carrying part, and thereby adjust itself to variations in the thickness of the work, all substantially as set forth.

2. In an envelope-machine, the combination of a presser in hinged or swinging connection with its carrier and a folder rigidly attached to its carrying-shaft, all substantially as -set forth.

3. In an envelope-machine, the combination of a presser in hinged or swinging connection with its carrier and a folder rigidly attached to its carryingshaft, the said presser-carrier and folder shaft being arranged to rotate around the same axial line, substantially as set forth.

ABRAM A. RHEUTAN.

Vitnesses:

J. HENRY TAYLOR., JAMEs F.' BLIGH. 

